House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez gave a P250,000 financial assistance to the family of slain Mindanao radio broadcaster Juan Jumalon, better known as "DJ Johnny Walker". 

The cash aid was handed over to Jumalon by Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) Undersecretary Paul Guitterez in behalf of the House leader. 

"After suddenly losing a breadwinner, it's really difficult for a family to pick up the pieces and carry on with their lives," Speaker Romualdez said in a statement Sunday, Nov.12. 

The relatives of the broadcaster gave their heartfelt thanks to Speaker Romualdez and to the others who have helped them during their ordeal like President Marcos, the provincial government of Misamis Occidental, and the Philippine National Police (PNP). 

Jumalon was gunned down and killed within his own radio station booth at home in Misamis Occidental last Nov. 5. The murder was seen by many in gruesome detail as it occurred while he was livestreaming on Facebook 

The Speaker had earlier condemned the slaying of the broadcaster. The PNP had already filed murder charges against the three suspects tagged in Jumalon's killing. 

"No matter what the motive is behind this killing, the Philippine media lost another one of its members, and we don't want this to keep on happening," said Romualdez, Leyte 1st district congressman. 

In a gesture of support to media practitioners in the country, Romualdez said:"We in Congress will take concrete steps to ensure that every member of the fourth estate are protected from these senseless killings." 

"They must not live in fear just because of their chosen profession," he added.